The best of 2008 for the Hawkinses can be summed up in one word: Family.

Thorvald has grown and developed so much! We just love his personality and his explorations. Our goal is simply to love and teach him as much as possible, and to get enough sleep to be good parents to him. We also loved spending so much time with parents, grand parents, great grand parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, cousins' kids, practically-cousins, and practically-family, as well as all kinds of other friends and loved ones at reunions, holidays, and get-togethers this past year.

2009 promises to be a great year for the Hawkins family too though, and we're excited about expanding our family with a little girl, who is expected to make her arrival somewhere around 10 April 2009. Hooray!

Claire continues to work for the law firm of Christensen O'Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC and enjoys her trademark, copyright, internet, and contract practice as well as her work with the non profit arts boards she serves on (Shunpike and Seattle Symphony). Brad continues to teach cello and related music classes at Lakeside School, give private cello lessons, gig, and do recording and composing work. We still love our dreamy apartment, charming neighborhood, and spectacular view of the Puget Sound. We're also back in our geographic ward after Thorvald got too old to be in a singles ward (we have such a testimony of Nursery!). Brad's serving on the Ward Missionary committee, I'm serving as a Gospel Doctrine teacher and on the Stake Public Affairs committee. We're also still biking as much as we can, attending play groups with all kinds of other fantastic parents and kids, and are simply grateful for our many blessings.

We hope that 2009 is a year of peace in the world and that love for our neighbors guides each of our actions.

Much love to you all,
Brad, Thorvald, and Claire Foley Hawkins

For pictures, details, and updates of all of the above-mentioned events and more, visit the history section or the photos section of this website.